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Master Your Metabolism

The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!

by Jillian Michaels and Mariska van Aalst

In Master Your Metabolism, Jillian Michaels, well-known strength trainer for The Biggest Loser, delves into the world of metabolism and how hormones affect your ability to reach a healthy weight. In essence, the book provides readers with a three-phase plan based around engaging various hormones in a way that will help them lose those extra pounds. The diet itself is a restrictive, high protein, low fat diet providing an average of 1300 calories per day, with some recommended menus falling as low as 700 calories per day – or, almost fasting level.

The book, which can be a bit overwhelming with its technical medical terms, addresses the influences of hormone balance and how weight loss is affected by hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, insulin, cortisol, epinephrine, and leptin. Michael’s solution to proper hormone balance includes removing anti-nutrients from your diet, restoring foods that “speak” directly to your fat-burning genes, and rebalancing energy and hormones in order to achieve effortless weight loss.

To its credit, the book recommends natural foods, organically grown and unprocessed. It also includes practical information, such as online shopping resources, recipes, strategies for eating out, hormone-trigger food charts, and how to address things like menopause and PMS. However, the book also relies to a certain extent on demonizing certain foods; a tactic which has been proven ineffectual for evoking long-term change.

All in all, while one cannot go wrong with recommending a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, the evidence for Michael’s “friendly” and “unfriendly” hormones is not so clear. Further, the restrictiveness of the diet could itself result in binging and yo-yo dieting. Michael’s methods may work well for short-term weight loss, but they simply do not provide the necessary structure for a long-term life change. In conclusion, while Michaels has shown herself to be an amazing trainer, when considering the Master Your Metabolism diet, do so with caution.